If you think you'll be targeting any species where a decent drag is necessary, think about the Orvis Battenkill or Battenkill Bar Stock II reels. I used the Battenkills exclusively on large fish during my recent trip west and the drag didn't fail me once. They are great reels for the price...

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"Then He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" Matthew 4:19

I have the Clearwater, the Battenkill Mid-arbor, and the BBS II. All good reels for their respective prices. I find myself using the BBS II more than the others, primarily because of the weight/size. I fish the mountains more than the tailwaters and the BBS II is a better "fit" with either my 8' 3 wt. for dries, or my 8'6" 4 wt for dries, dry/dropper rigs, or nymphs. On tailwaters, I prefer the Battenkill Mid-arbor with my 9' 5wt.

So, for me, it's been a question of finding the right combination of rod/reel/line for the water I'm fishing. I'll have to defer to Plateau regarding the drag issue, since I have yet to encounter a fish large enough to test my drag.

Go to elkhornflyrodandreel.com - check out their "Web specials" and take a look at the T-2 for $129. I bought a T-1 (2/3/4 wt) and just got the T-2 (5/6 wt). The T-1 had 2 little scratches on it and I received an e-mail letting me know if I wasn't satisfied to send it back. The T-2 is perfect. These reels are like a piece of fine jewelry. The drags are great. Back in June, I landed 4 Carp, all over 7 lbs, on the 3 wt with no trouble.

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To Miss Nancy - she hated fishing, but loved a fisherman.